Looking to buy mkv TDI

[myterribear]

I am looking at getting this car in a week. It's a 2006 VW Jetta TDI MKV 1.9l diesel, Its got 128k miles and is in pretty great condition other then the rear bumper has minor damage and the driver side door has a dent.

Point is I'm getting it for 8100 dollars and everything appears legit. Any reason why I should not buy this?


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[Rockerchick]

What transmission is in it? Has the correct oil been used? Has the cam been checked for wear?

[myterribear]

What transmission is in it? Has the correct oil been used? Has the cam been checked for wear?

Its the dsg transmission, yes the correct oil is used. Guy has spare oil he is throwing in along with other misc stuff for it.

Cams have not been checked.

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[GoFaster]

Status of timing belt and water pump?

The camshaft and lifters is the biggest bugaboo with these cars. If there is any trace of a 30-weight oil in the vehicle's history (or if the oil he gives you is a 30-weight) you can pretty much figure on the camshaft and lifters being on borrowed time. It doesn't matter if the 30-weight oil is VW certified 505.01 or not - it doesn't work in these engines.

There is a fair argument that non-VW-certified, but 5w40 synthetic and diesel-rated, Shell Rotella T6 or Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck are better choices than a 30-weight oil regardless of VW approvals or not.

This is not a "guaranteed failure" - particularly if suitable 40-weight oils are used. My 2006 Mk5 just crossed 400,000 km today on the original camshaft and lifters, and there's no hint of any issue with them. Since I'm the original owner, I can state with certainty that not a drop of 30-weight oil has ever been put into the engine. (I have been using Mobil 1 TDT 5w40 for the last 160,000 km or so.)

[myterribear]

As for the water Pump and Timing Belt I do not know. Everything looked ok when I popped the hood but I am not used to Diesels so I was kinda thrown off. I am looking at it again Saturday and taking it for a test drive for a longer distance with my old Plate as he didn't have one so I couldn't take it far.

Is there anything that I should look at to determine the condition of the two in particular? While I know a bit about cars I am always worried about doing it the right way.


As for the oil I will have to verify the type that he has. He is bringing that with him to give to me along with G12, etc.. so I can do that on Saturday. Is there a particular brand or type it should be other then 505.01 5w40?

The guy has only owned the car for a year now and he has maybe put a thousand miles on it from what he said. He got it because of a neighbors daughter past away so he got it for cheap and he needed to make the commute from a rural area to his job however he now works from home.

[Rockerchick]

Other than maintenance records, there is really no way to know for sure on the tb/water pump. An old belt can still look new. If there is no records of it, I'd get it done ASAP and factor the job into the price you pay. Usually $700-$1000 depending on where its done.

[myterribear]

Is it hard to replace it on your own?

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[Rockerchick]

It can be done. But you need special tools and you have to follow the instructions 100%. There is very little tolerance on a diesel so if you get timing off by a tooth, you are likely to damage things.

Go read up on TDIClub. They have DIYs for timing belts and info on what to look for on a TDI before you buy. myturbodiesel.com also has some great DIYs